QUETTA: Provincial Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi has said that Balochistan issue cannot be resolved without involving all stakeholders, including the government, the army and intelligence agencies, in dialogue with the estranged Baloch nationalist leaders.

He was talking to journalists after distributing among dignitaries national awards at a Pakistan Day function in the Governor’s House on Friday.

However, he said, talks cannot be initiated with those elements who do not accept the state of Pakistan and insist on independence for the province.

“How can one hold talks with the elements who only want to talk for an independent Balochistan,” Nawab Magsi asked, adding that a line should be drawn for talks on the principle of give and take. “We must follow the give-and-take principle for talks to resolve the Balochistan issue.”

Balochistan Assembly Speaker Mohammed Aslam Bhootani recently called for inclusion of army in talks with Baloch nationalists.

When asked if President Asif Ali Zardari had empowered him for initiating dialogue with the Baloch leaders, the governor said: “Government and army should extend their support for talks.”

Mr Magsi said so far he had not contacted anyone for the purpose.

He complained that the governor did not enjoy powers, adding that after the inclusion of 18th Amendment in the Constitution the governor had only “ceremonial role”.

He said the chief minister and the provincial cabinet had all the powers after the 18th Amendment.

Answering a question, he said no one had gone to the mountains, adding that Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri was in Karachi, Sardar Ataullah Mengal lived in Karachi and Wadh while Gazan Marri was in London.